After neighbouring Sicily, Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean, stretching approximately 270km north to south and 145km east to west, making it a relatively easy island to uncover and explore. 

Summers tend to span from early May to late September, with tourists flocking mainly from June to August. However, with so much variety and beauty, no month proves better than another.

Visiting Sardinia couldn't be easier with a flying time of under two hours from London airports. Both Easyjet and British Airways fly direct routes into Olbia, Alghero and Cagliari, along with a direct Easyjet flight from Manchester during the summer months. Olbia is the largest of the three airports in Sardinia. 

Sardinia lacks public transport, but for those eager to wind the coastal routes at their own pace, organising a rental vehicle and making Sardinia a self-drive holiday couldn't be simpler. 

Below I've picked out which parts of Sardinia shouldn't be missed and what you can find and discover in each. As you read on you'll realise Sardinia features a real mix of paradise beaches, colourful cities, quaint villages, countryside escapes and cusine delights.

Perhaps the best-known corner of Sardinia and a personal favourite is the Costa Smeralda. Famous for its endless colours and glitz, it's the coastline that makes you realise you don't need to travel thousands of miles to discover some of the beaches in the world.

With the most impressive shades of transparent blue, fine sand, shallow waters and rock formations leading into the sea, you can easily spend day after day hopping from one picturesque beach and intimate cove to the next. You'll never tire taking in the views of the emerald coast line of the Costa Smeralda.

Here are five stunning beaches on the Costa Smeralda that will make you think you're actutally holidaying in the Caribbean: 

• Pincipe Beach

• Phi Beach 

• Pevero Beach

• Cala di Volpe Beach

• Capriccioli Beach

But the possiblities in the north east don't end there; towns all along the Costa Smeralda are overflowing with locals and gelato, millionaires yachts pulling into the marinas and ferries waiting to hop you across to Bonifacio, the closest town in Corsica. Again, due to the ease of driving in Sardinia and quality of the roads, each little town is no more than 20-30 minutes apart. Here's a list of some of the most beautiful spots to visit in Sardinia:

• Puerto Cervo: the 'capital' of the Costa Smeralda. Playground to the rich and famous, dotted with yatchts, elegant boutiques and top-class golf courses, the gateway to the emerald coast; indulging here will only leave you feeling relaxed and wanting to return!

• Olbia: sometimes overlooked, Olbia city centre is full to the brim with wine bars, pretty piazzas and coffee shops. It's both authentic and affordable, and would feature perfectly on any itinerary for those wanting to discover the history of the Bronze Age.

• Porto Rotondo: another popular stop on the Costa Smeralda coast, boats of all sizes make up the constant activity on the stunning marina. Still relatively small in size but huge in personality, the colours continue and nearby beaches don't disappoint.

• Palau: located close to all of the above, Palau is the perfect beach resort to explore the beautiful collection of La Maddalena Islands, an archipelago off the north-eastern tip of Sardinia. With an aray of pink and orange-soaked buildings to admire, shops and high-class restaurants to dine in, Palau can easily be used as a base to explore this beautiful stretch of coast.

The archipelago of La Maddalena is made up of 60 islands, large and small, and is the 'not so secret' secret of Sardinia. The national park boasts hundreds of electric blue lagoons and unspoilt beaches that make you hardly believe you're in Europe. La Maddalena Islands are located between Sardinia and Corsica, only 20 minutes by boat from the port of Palau. Maddalena itself is rich in history with breath-taking panoramic views all around the perimeter. The island is an ex-Italian and American military base and was the main port of call for Admiral Nelson in the 1700's.

With rock formations and sea colours so unique, it's the perfect spot for swimming, diving and uncovering Sardinia's beautiful flora and fauna.

For wild, natural landscapes, south Sardinia is the place to go. Although less popular than the north, the south still has an abundance of charm and history. Cagliari, the islands capital, is the only city on the southern coast; the rest makes way to tiny scattered towns and villages. Cagliari is quintessentially Italian and vibrant; Vespa's buzz around all day long, and locals spill out of busy cafes and bars in the old town squares. For century-old churches, cathedrals and ancient fortifications, Cagliari is the perfect blend.

The unspoilt coastline of the south is paired with rolling hills and garnite cliffs. Visit Sardinia's headland of Cape Carbonara for its fortress and harbour, as well as plenty of options for long, scenic coastal drives and impressive hiking trails. The south would be perfect for the traveller looking for rural retreats, active adventures like cycling, or a peaceful, hidden-away spa break in the hills.

Images you've seen of the west coast of Sardinia probably include flocks of pink flamingos, impressive sunsets, dramatic cliffs and white crashing waves. Sinas is one of the most popular towns, famous for its sand dunes and blinding quartz-like sandy beaches. It's peaceful yet full of character. Also along the west coast you'll find Golfo di Oristana. Far from the busy beach resorts so never overcrowded, it's a perfect spot for fishing, swimming in crystal clear lagoons, exploring quiet coves and enjoying a popular activity on this coast: horseback riding. 

Bosa is a MUST to visit in this part of Sardinia; the narrow old-town alleyways, pastel colours, award winning beaches and marina make everyone see why it's named one of the most beautiful villages, not just in Sardinia, but in the whole of Italy. 

For dramatic and rural Sardinia, head inland for food tours, wine tasting in local vineyards, the best olive oil on the island, and festivals with locals. 

Sardinia is a special island, and the variety is extensive and impressive. It's a place that truly captures all Mediterranean life has to offer; the colours, the culture and the flavours all amount to a unique experience with each corner bringing it's own distinctive ingredients. 

Easily reachable, affordable and a with feel like no other - visiting Sardinia is worth it time and time again!